I vacillated between giving this 3 or 4 stars. In the end I opted for the higher rating because it was a fun read. TOTALLY predictable, but enjoyableI vacillated between giving this 3 or 4 stars. In the end I opted for the higher rating because it was a fun read. TOTALLY predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. ...more

not my favorite book. 2 things that bugged me: 1- the protagonist was unrealistically presented with not one, but 3 nearly perfect men with a pretty gnot my favorite book. 2 things that bugged me: 1- the protagonist was unrealistically presented with not one, but 3 nearly perfect men with a pretty good chance of having any of them if she chose. 2- the protagonist considers herself a modern woman yet did all kinds of flighty stereotypical things like nearly fainting, losing her balance and having her man catch her coincidentally, and losing her ability to think when in the presence of her love interest. meh. that just bugs me. Be a woman, that's all. ...more

The story is wonderful, the evolution of character relationships is even better. The biggest disappointment for me was the unnecessary sex scene. I keThe story is wonderful, the evolution of character relationships is even better. The biggest disappointment for me was the unnecessary sex scene. I kept thinking maybe it was important to the plot because of the way the magic works, but no. It just WAS rather than being significant. I was especially sad that afterwards the characters don't ever again reflect on it, don't grow from it, don't change from it. Like it didn't even matter at all. Because of this part, I cannot recommend this book for teens, though the story is compelling.

Good book for a captivating read, not predictable. Just be aware that you might need to skip some. And don't feel bad if you do, because it plays no part in the plot whatsoever....more

If the mark of a good book is one that you still think about weeks after you've completed it, then this book earned all 4 stars. The take-away messageIf the mark of a good book is one that you still think about weeks after you've completed it, then this book earned all 4 stars. The take-away message is to have a moderate relationship with food. I like that. The pendulum swings from over-indulgence to over-restriction and in either extreme there is neither sustainability nor happiness. This book took me back to my very overweight childhood, begging me to ask questions about my motives and relationship with food. I related to the weight loss journey struggles too: the fear, the burnout, the guilt when you've broken a promise to yourself, and the recovery to push on. I will say the author's voice is over-the-top descriptive, but I think it suits the tone of over-indulgent eating. I also thought Mitchell seems pretty immature and manipulative of people, but I can't judge her as a PERSON since her upbringing was pretty lacking in guidance and involvement, but I can judge her writing. When I say immature and frivolous, I mean...teenager-squealing-obsessing-over-Leo-as-a-full-grown-adult-who-ought-to-behave-with-a-touch-more-rationality kind of annoying portions in the book. I withheld the 5th star for these lacking elements in the writing. ...more

this book starts slower than I expected. It took the first 100 pages to really get into it. But I will admit it DID gain momentum and keep me on the ethis book starts slower than I expected. It took the first 100 pages to really get into it. But I will admit it DID gain momentum and keep me on the edge of my seat til the end. I loved the "surprise" reveal in the last few pages! This is a book to get you thinking about ethics and medicine, challenging my concepts of culpability vs tragic accident. There is definitely a court room drama feel to the book, so if you like that kind of suspense you would probably enjoy this novel. ...more

I LOVED the characters! They are vibrant and seem so real and so flawed and so... well, they just make you care about them! I also loved the mystery aI LOVED the characters! They are vibrant and seem so real and so flawed and so... well, they just make you care about them! I also loved the mystery and had to keep reading to find out who-dun-it, ya know?I didn't love the profanity. I didn't love the ending. Seemed too tidy and unrealistic.

This book did a great job giving the reader insight into the rationalizations that we use to convince ourselves of... whatever, but particularly as it pertains to domestic violence. I feel like it was educational in that regard and helps me to be a better, more compassionate friend and human being. However, I didn't feel satisfied and the resolution. and that means when I look back on the book I don't feel content.

It kept me reading late into the night because I cared about the characters, but didn't leave me happy in the end. ...more

great book. I loved the intertwining of historical fact with fabricated characters and situations. I had no idea it was so closely tied to reality untgreat book. I loved the intertwining of historical fact with fabricated characters and situations. I had no idea it was so closely tied to reality until the end. I will say there is a slow period about 3/4 of the way through, but I understand now that those are events that actually occurred, so it isn't like the author could just whisk us away from them. Turns out my favorite character was fictional. too bad. I wondered what became of her and was sad to discover she wasn't real. Also, the fact that the book is based on history explains why the love stories are disappointing...but I will add that THAT was one of the least satisfying parts of the whole book for me. I wanted our heroines (all 3 of them) to be happy in love and was repeatedly disappointed when things didn't work out (but you can't pretend a historical character go married when they didn't, right?). So anyway. Great read, disappointing at times. ...more

disclaimer: I LOVE documentaries when they bring the past to life and this book does JUST that! I enjoyed the context Brown creates by filling us in odisclaimer: I LOVE documentaries when they bring the past to life and this book does JUST that! I enjoyed the context Brown creates by filling us in on what was happening in Germany at the same time. My favorite thing was the inspiring message of overcoming injustice and hardship in life through working hard to reach goals. Loved this book!...more

I LOVED this book! It is beautifully written, poetic without waxing annoyingly esoteric, with characters who quickly won my heart. Only disappointmentI LOVED this book! It is beautifully written, poetic without waxing annoyingly esoteric, with characters who quickly won my heart. Only disappointment was the realistic but less-than-happy ending. I wanted more than a philosophical positive ending, I wanted them to actually get to LIVE happiness. That said, I LOVED the symbolism, particularly of the spiral. I have been thinking about this book a ton since reading it and find it provocative and inspiring. ...more

witty, hilarious, light read, fun... yet also presents compelling ideas about good and evil and free agency. I only gave it 4 instead of 5 because thewitty, hilarious, light read, fun... yet also presents compelling ideas about good and evil and free agency. I only gave it 4 instead of 5 because there are a few bad language uses. Could easily be omitted if reading aloud, though, so don't let them stop you from reading this one!...more

I really enjoyed this book-- and I do not usually enjoy romances at all-- so that is saying something. My biggest critique is that the main characterI really enjoyed this book-- and I do not usually enjoy romances at all-- so that is saying something. My biggest critique is that the main character is so naive. Or perhaps not naive, but just not mature enough to see things as they are? Either way, sometimes her obvious ignorance of intentions of others undermines her otherwise intelligent and courageous disposition. that drove me crazy throughout the book, especially as the romantic tension builds, but I suppose it also fueled the plot. That is why romance is just not my genre, I guess. I'd prefer people were straightforward and cut the drama. But I digress. Anyway, it was a quick read and, dare I say, a romance I'd recommend to others....more